Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said her government has taken initiative to flourish brilliance of the culturally talented people at the grassroots.
"We have taken measures to find out artful mind and flourish the knowledge and excellence of the people involved in cultural activities at the remote areas," she said.
The prime minister said this while virtually inaugurating the month-long 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh-2022 from her official Ganabhaban residence here.
She said her government is working tirelessly for socio-economic development of the people alongside flourishing their artful mind.
The exhibition is being held at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy till January 7.
The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) under patronisation of Cultural Affairs Ministry is organising it.
A total of 712 artworks by some 465 artists from 114 countries including Bangladesh are being displayed at the exhibition.
The honorary award was conferred on five artists, while the grand award was on three others on the occasion.
President of the jury board of the event artist Rafiqun Nabi announced the name of the awardees.
On behalf of the premier, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid handed over the awards to the recipients.
KM Khalid chaired the inaugural ceremony while Cultural Affairs secretary Md Abul Monsur, jury board member and noted Polish art critic Jaroslaw Suchan, BSA director general and chief coordinator of 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh-2022 Liaquat Ali Lucky, among others, spoke on the occasion.
